Essendon VFL is finding form at the right time, tuning up for the finals with a 73-point win over the Northern Blues at Windy Hill on Saturday.

Scores were tied at half time but the Bombers kicked away in the second half, winning 19.17 (131) to the Blues 8.10 (58).

The Bombers were led by a raft of midfielders including Will Hams, Nash Holmes, Shaun Edwards, Aaron Heppell, James Polkinghorne and Ben Dobson who combined for 14 goals between them.

Essendon’s finals hopes looked to of hit a serious road block early in the match, with the Blues applying serious pressure to continually force the Bombers to turn the ball over.

Jim Ferry kicked the opening goal of the match, spoiling the ball well from an opposition kick in at centre half forward, then running onto a loose ball and converting from 40 metres out at the Reynolds Stand end.

The Blues opened up a 13-point lead after a goal from Harry McKay and the Bomber faithful were getting restless before Holmes kicked his first of the afternoon to cut the deficit to seven points at the first change.

After some stern reminders from the coaching staff, the Bombers lifted to the finals like intensity and took better care of the ball when they had possession.

Hams kicked his first with a classy left foot snap and Holmes had his second soon after but the Blues were responding with goals of their own. The Bombers missed plenty of chances to pull away on the scoreboard, but Sam Heavyside and Heppell took their opportunities to kick goals and even the scores by half time.

In what turned out to be a tale of two halves, the Bombers clicked into another gear in the second half, slamming on 13 goals to two.

Essendon locked the ball inside their forward half and peppered the goals early in the third term, but inaccuracy kept the Blues in the game with the Bombers leading by three goals at three quarter time.

Northern’s resistance was broken open by the Bombers with early goals to Hams and Dobson in the final term.

A long range goal from Ben McNiece, another Holmes goal and two from Edwards had the boys relishing every minute of the final term.

With McNiece, Ferry, Josh Freezer and Alex Marklew as the 23^rd man in defence, the Blues struggled to move the ball forward with any real threat.

Heppell was a constant though the midfield, leading the possession getters with 34 touches and the remarkable second quarter goal.

Hams, who spent time as a focal point in the forward line, did it all with 29 disposals, 10 marks, five tackles but with an inaccurate three goals four and one out on the full.  

Holmes finished the day with 27 touches, eight marks, four tackles and four goals three, he was denied a contender for goal of the year with a shot after shrugging off several Blues opponents with his kick touched on the line. 

Edwards registered 25 touches and three goals, Polkinghorne had 26 touches and two goals with Dobson continuing his good form with 24 touches and one major.

Vice-captain Ben McNiece was rock solid down back again with 22 disposals and one goal, while Mark Jamar was welcomed back with 22 touches and seven strong marks.

Assistant coach Mark Corrigan said the game was a good lead in for this week’s elimination final.

“The first half was a really contested game of footy and credit to Northern’s defence and their pressure, we coughed the ball up and made some mistakes we probably shouldn’t have,” Corrigan said.

“At half time we felt our effort and our intensity could lift a little bit, we needed to be more composed with our ball movement and control the ball. After half time the boys did that and I thought the team care lifted a notch which was pleasing to see their response.”

Corrigan, who looks after the team’s forward line, said it was great to see the midfielders all hitting the scoreboard.

“Three quarters of our goals came from mids, it’s great to see that mix and the spread of goal kickers,” he said.

“The boys through the middle are winning the contested balls and the clearances were outstanding.

“We think we have been building towards a really strong brand of football, especially in the last three weeks.  The way that we are playing at the moment we think it can hold up and push any side in the finals.

“The boys are up and about so we are looking forward to playing whoever it might be, it’s very exciting.”